Looking Back Feb. 19

Leapfrogging 11 places in one year is astounding proess in any kind of competition. Pilar and Leonardo Maekawa have made their jump in the glamourous figure skating offshoot of ice dance.

Earning a 15th place ranking at last year’s Skate Canada Junior Nationals, the teenage siblings bumped that up to third in the pre-novice division in last weekend’s championships at Calgary’s Max Bell Centre.

No one who has seen or met the pair could be anything but happy for them. The maturity, dedication and politeness of the Sooke residents show through, complementing their great looks and obvious athletic/artistic flair.

Feb 18, 2004

Sooke dancer tapping into US market

Michael Boston’s feet are like musical instruments.

In his own way, the Sooke 18-year-old tap dances is like revered jazz drummers Gene Krupa or Buddy Rich.

In late December, he joined Tap Kids, a Tarrytown New York based company with a touring show. He currently is an apprentice, but artistic director Lisa Hopkins expects he will soon be a regular and receiving a stipend.

Boston spends his time rehearsing and studying at the Broadway Dance Centre.

Over the years, he has studied at various studios. But he told the Sooke News Mirror he will always remember where he started.

“I’d love to come from a small town and make it big someday.”

Feb 17, 1999

Sooke bingo player wins big jackpot

B-I-N-G-O spells big dollars for a Sooke woman who won the $20,000 pot last week at Langford Drop In Bingo.

Kerry Fedosenko split the winnings with her sister-in-law, with whom she was playing at the Goldstream Avenue hot spot.

An excited Fedosenko won the game in 47 numbers.

And just what is she going to do with her half of the bingo money?

Pay some bills and hopefully take a family holiday next year, she said.

Feb 16, 1994

Committee strikes school condom policy

Condoms will be available in local high schools if the Sooke school board accepts the recommendations of its condom committee.

Composed of parents, trustees, students, district staff health officials and member of Family Forum in the Western Communities, the committee recommended condoms be available in district secondary schools as part of a comprehensive student education health program.

The committee shelved a proposal to install condom machines in schools in favour of distribution through counsellors, health officers and peer tutors. Funding for condoms would be the responsibility of individual schools at the outset of discussions.

Students were up in arms last year when they discovered the school board had vetoed condoms without consulting them.

Feb 21, 1990

‘All hell broke loose’ after robber hailed cab

A Victoria man who wanted some beer Sunday didn’t let the fact the Sooke liquor store was closed bother him at all. He picked up a metal grocery cart and, before the astonished eyes of passers-by, smashed the plate glass window of the store and walked in and helped himself to two cases of beer.

Sooke taxi relief driver Ron Smith spotted the man waving to him and pulled over to pick up what he thought was just another routine fare.

Then, as the saying goes, all hell broke loose.

Mr. Smith then saw a “bunch of people running up to me yelling that he had robbed the liquor store and had a gun.”

So, he exited the cab.

“The next thing I knew, he slid into the drivers side and roared off,” said Mr. Smith.

By this time, the RCMP had appeared on the scene, and were in pursuit of the vehicle.

The cab didn’t get very far, not past the Century 21 office, blowing out two front tires.

The police pulled alongside and walked around to the passenger side. According to their report, the man “locked the doors. He then opened a bottle of vodka and began drinking.”

The Victoria man was charged with breaking and entering, theft, breach of probation, auto theft and failing to stop for police.